Black History Month | Black Women In Beauty Industry

To celebrate Black History Month, we want to authentically support the Black beauty community and shout about its talent and achievements.

We have always aimed to create makeup and skincare for all shades and concerns, and this month we are showcasing incredible content from Black beauty creators. Check out the activity on @makeuprevolution on Instagram and TikTok.

Our Amazing Team

At the heart of Revolution, we have an incredible team of people. From designing revolutionary products to listening to our creative and wonderful community, there’s someone on it!

To celebrate Black History Month, we spoke to 3 amazing members of our team (and myself) about their roles at Revolution, the beauty industry and what it means to them to be a black woman working in beauty. Here’s what we had to say…

Eboni

New Product Development Assistant
New Product Development

What do you love about working in the beauty industry?

I became obsessed with beauty when I started watching make-up tutorials on YouTube when I was in Sixth Form so working in a role where I get to experiment with make-up products every day is the dream.

My favorite part of working in the beauty industry is hearing and seeing people’s reactions and excitement to products I have developed from the very initial concept stage. I love that the industry is fast-paced, reactive and that there are no rules.

What do you love most about your role?

My favorite part of my role is that I have involvement in the full product life cycle. From brainstorming meetings to presenting new product ideas, selecting shades for eyeshadow palettes, and communicating with suppliers in the Far East to helping to create the content when we have final samples. I get to see the product journey from end to end. This enables me to learn so much about the behind-the-scenes business.

How has being a Black woman impacted your role?

Being a Black woman on the product team has given me a critical voice when discussing new product launches, I am able to represent and push for specific customer needs that may not have been thought of.

Not only am I able to ensure there is an appropriate inclusion of shades but also ensure that shades are named correctly and help to educate on why naming a shade a certain name is not appropriate. I feel like I am helping to give visibility to a whole group of people who have for years been treated as invisible within the beauty industry.

What’s your favorite Revolution Beauty product?

My favorite product is the Makeup Revolution Conceal & Define Concealer C11.2.

It has the perfect yellow undertone to conceal under the eye and cover my hyperpigmentation. I use it every day without fail. Years ago I would have had to have spent triple the amount of money to find a concealer with that undertone. The fact that it is £6.00 and does not look orangey is revolutionary. It also comes in 60 shades so I can easily find my summer and winter concealer.

Shahira

Junior Content Editor
Social & Content Team

What do you love about working in the beauty industry?

My absolute favorite thing about working in the beauty industry is having a voice as a young black female professional in a space that hasn’t always been representative of me and others who look like me. It gives me the opportunity to be at the steering wheel for change in an industry that I love. Since working in the beauty industry, I have been able to bring other Black women to the metaphorical “table” and create opportunities with and for them.

What do you love most about your role?

What I love most about my role is that I get to be creative! I have always been a creative person and hoped that I’d be able to work in the creative industry. I even gained a master’s degree in design because I was so sure that’s what I was going to do but life led me to the beauty industry. I’m able to use my creativity in a way I never imagined, and I really love what I do. I absolutely wouldn’t change it for anything!

How has being a Black woman impacted your role?

Being a Black woman has impacted me throughout my life… sometimes positively and other times not so much. Specifically, in my role, being a Black woman allows me to offer a level of visibility to Black people that we did not have growing up. I’m able to bring other Black content creators on board to fill our social channels and feeds with their beautiful content. Occasionally, I’m also able to be that representation myself. It feels really good. Being a black woman has given me the drive to aim high in my role at all times. I feel like I’m not just doing my job for myself.

What’s your favorite Revolution Beauty product?

I am absolutely in love with the ‘Makeup Revolution Ultimate Eye Base Eye Primer in Light’. I’ve finally found a product that actually helps me get pigments to really pop on my skin tone. I haven’t been able to out down the yellow pigments I have in my Makeup Revolution X Tammi Tropical Carnival Palette.

Maggie

Brand Design Lead (Maternity Cover)
Social & Content Team

What do you love about working in the beauty industry?

I have worked in the beauty industry for many years and what I love about it is the fact that it is continually evolving. The industry is very reactive therefore no two days are ever the same. With ever-changing demographics and technologies, it is an industry that is great for
learning and even moving around within companies into other roles.

What do you love most about your role?

There are many aspects of my role that I love but one of the things I really enjoy is seeing concepts come together. Working closely with a wider creative and content team to create beautiful campaigns and photography that help to bring these ideas to life be that digitally, in print, and across our Point of Sale is great as I love working with people and collaborating to achieve our creative goals. The other part of the role I love is leading a team, acting as a mentor, and encouraging their growth within the company.

How has being a Black woman impacted your role?

I feel like I offer representation in my role and industry to young black women who might be interested in pursuing a career in the creative sector within the beauty industry. I hope that the younger generation who are just starting their careers in the beauty industry strive to grow and thrive in managerial positions. I have worked my way up in the industry over the years so if you are just starting out in your career and interested in working in the beauty industry, I would say that if you work hard to achieve your goals and keep learning then anything is possible!

What’s your favorite Revolution Beauty product?

I can’t get enough of the XX Revolution XXpress Quad Eyeshadow Palette, and the XX Revolution XXude Satin Liquid Lipstick Laid. It’s long-lasting and not drying – fabulous!

Courtney

Junior New Product Development Manager
Product Development

What do you love about working in the beauty industry?

I really enjoy how diverse and welcoming the beauty industry is becoming. I think we are miles ahead of fashion brands. Beauty is as it should be for everyone!

What do you love most about your role?

I enjoy the creative and trend elements of my job, to be able to make products that people love and that make them feel beautiful.

How has being a Black woman impacted your role?

I think I bring a different perspective to product development in terms of shade range and color requirements. Which allows me to really develop products that everyone can use. I also think I bring a different viewpoint on what POC may require from their beauty
products being involved from the very being allows me to capture this at the development stage.

What’s your favorite Revolution Beauty product?

Mine would be the Revolution super dewy tinted moisturizer in rich tan. It offers a really light coverage that is easily bendable and has a lovely dewy finish!

Make sure you’re following us @makeuprevolution to see some incredible content from some very talented Black creators throughout Black History Month and beyond.

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